Things to do with kids in Pasadena
Pasadena is the cultural center of the San Gabriel Valley and its richest area for kids: the city's best children's museum beside the Rose Bowl, the Huntington and Lacy Park next door in San Marino, the waterfall canyon of Altadena to the north, and a century-old bookstore in town.
A perfect day for a 2-year-old: the creek and mud at Kidspace in the morning, a picnic under the big trees at Lacy Park, and the second floor of Vroman's Bookstore in the afternoon. For bigger kids: an early start on the Eaton Canyon waterfall trail (check its post-fire status first), then the Chinese garden and desert garden at the Huntington. For quiet, walk the stone labyrinth at free Arlington Garden; on a rainy or hot day see a puppet show at Bob Baker in Highland Park, and in winter drive 15 minutes to Descanso for camellias and the light show.
- 9 places
- 3 free
- 8 stroller-friendly
- closest is 5 min away
9 places
Drive times from Pasadena
Vroman's Bookstore Kids' Section
5.0Pasadena · 5 min drive
1 h · stroller-friendly
Free · Parking: Free lot behind the store (Colorado Blvd and El Molino Ave)
Arlington Garden
5.0Pasadena · 5 min drive
1 h · stroller-friendly
Free · Parking: Free street parking on Arlington Dr and Pasadena Ave
Lacy Park
5.0San Marino · 10 min drive
2 h · stroller-friendly
$ · Parking: Lot at the Virginia Rd entrance; about $4 per person for non-San Marino residents on weekends and holidays (under 4 free), free on weekdays
Kidspace Children's Museum
5.0Pasadena · 10 min drive
3 h · stroller-friendly
$$ · Parking: Free museum lot (next to the Rose Bowl), different arrangements on Rose Bowl event days
The Huntington Library and Gardens
4.0San Marino · 10 min drive
3 h · stroller-friendly · reservation needed
$$$ · Parking: Free lot, full after 11am on weekends
Los Angeles County Arboretum
5.0Arcadia · 15 min drive
2.5 h · stroller-friendly
$ · Parking: Free arboretum lot (Baldwin Ave)
Bob Baker Marionette Theater
5.0Los Angeles · 15 min drive
1.5 h · stroller-friendly · reservation needed
$$ · Parking: Street parking on York Blvd (read the signs), not hard on weekend mornings
Descanso Gardens
5.0La Cañada Flintridge · 15 min drive
2.5 h · stroller-friendly
$ · Parking: Free garden lot
Eaton Canyon Natural Area
3.0Pasadena · 15 min drive
2.5 h · carrier recommended
Free · Parking: Free lot at the Altadena Dr entrance, very full after 9am on weekends; street parking on Altadena Dr
💡 Good to know
- The city garages in Old Pasadena are free for the first 90 minutes, easier than street meters; when the Rose Bowl hosts an event, Kidspace parking is rerouted.
- Pasadena's Central Library is closed long-term for seismic retrofit; use Vroman's or the Arcadia and Monrovia libraries instead.